Toronto Gets New Public Health Guardian

Toronto has a new public health guardian — Dr. Eileen de Villa, Peel Region’s former medical officer of heath.

De Villa’s appointment as the successor to Dr. David McKeown, who retired last July after more than 30 years in public health, was announced Tuesday.

The top public health official guides and shapes city policy on often-controversial topics that in the past have included smoking in public spaces, food safety, the ethics of bottled water and hookah smoking.

De Villa, who has also been a University of Toronto professor and holds a Masters of Business Administration degree, will oversee issues including the city’s response to the federal government’s legalization of marijuana.